
Unlike narcolepsy, it doesn’t include cataplexy or sleep paralysis.
#Stay awake after all nighter skin
Restless legs syndrome – sensations of cramps or irritation are felt under the skin in the legs, particularly the calves.A person may have difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep. Insomnia – this is very common, but does not necessarily cause hypersomnia.The person rouses slightly, gasps and then goes back to sleep. The brain registers the breathing problem and sends a ‘wake-up’ call. Sleep apnoea – the person’s breathing stops or is reduced regularly during sleep, sometimes every minute.Some of the sleep disorders that may contribute to or cause excessive daytime sleepiness include: Sleep disorders – such as sleep apnoea, restless legs syndrome, sleep walking, narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia and insomnia may all cause sleep disruption or fragmented sleep.Changes to time zone – such as jet lag can affect the internal biological clock, which regulates sleep.Medical conditions – like hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland), oesophageal reflux, nocturnal asthma and chronic painful conditions can disrupt sleep.

Medications – such as alcohol, caffeinated drinks, tranquillisers, sleeping pills and antihistamines can disrupt sleeping patterns.Mental states – anxiety can keep a person awake at night, which makes them prone to sleepiness during the day.As well as the problem of trying to sleep, there is also the effect of being out of synchronisation with the body’s internal clock (the circadian rhythm). Shiftwork – it is very difficult to get good sleep while working shiftwork, especially night shift.Environmental factors – broken sleep can be caused by a variety of things such as a snoring partner, a baby that wakes, noisy neighbours, heat and cold, or sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress.Teenagers who stay out until the early hours of the morning on weekends may be tired during the week. Insufficient or inadequate sleep – long working hours and overtime can be tolerated for months or years before the symptoms of sleepiness take effect.An increased risk of accidents, especially motor vehicle accidents.Įxcessive daytime sleepiness can be caused by a wide range of events and conditions, including:.Difficulty thinking and making decisions – the mind feels ‘foggy’.Feeling drowsy, despite sleeping and napping – not refreshed on waking up.Symptoms of hypersomniaĭepending on the cause, the symptoms of hypersomnia may include: It is possible that a person with hypersomnia may have very disturbed sleep but not be aware of it.

Sleeping and napping may not help, and the mind may remain foggy with drowsiness. In extreme cases, a person with hypersomnia might sleep soundly at night for 12 hours or more, but still feel the need to nap during the day. Under the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, daytime sleepiness is defined as ‘the inability to stay awake and alert during the major waking episodes of the day, resulting in unintended lapses into drowsiness or sleep’. The characteristics of hypersomnia vary from one person to the next, depending on their age, lifestyle and any underlying causes. Seek advice from your doctor or sleep disorder clinic if you still feel excessively sleepy. Hypersomnia can be helped or cured with a few adjustments to lifestyle habits. Other causes include sleep disorders, medication, and medical and psychiatric illnesses. This may be due to shiftwork, family demands (such as a new baby), study or social life. There are many different causes, the most common in our society being inadequate sleep.
